Delta Fresh Sales’ Pedro Balderrama Touches on Light Tomato Supplies in Mexico
NOGALES, AZ - Tomatoes make for a great addition for shoppers to (gently) toss into their baskets. The varieties our industry grows and the flavors the category produces make tomatoes accessible to a myriad of dishes, from easy apps to curious desserts. As the weather cools, I got in touch with Delta Fresh Sales’ Pedro Balderrama in Sales to learn more about its current tomato harvest amidst lighter supplies.
“We are currently sourcing our fall Roma tomatoes crop in Baja California, Mexico. Our fall crop is about 60 percent through its production cycle, but will continue in a light way for the next 5–6 weeks,” Pedro explains to me. “We are also currently receiving light supplies of both Romas and vine-ripes coming from Eastern Mexico at our facility in McAllen, Texas. Looking ahead, there will be even tighter supplies come when we normally begin to harvest in December.”
Both Mexico and Texas have had climatic challenges the past few months, and production is not reaching the company’s forecasted totals. Additionally, Pedro notes the company’s West Mexico tomato deal saw some challenges in Sinaloa, with production running approximately two weeks late for its winter program.
However, since the vast majority is produced in some type of protected environment, Delta Fresh’s projections reveal very good quality for its tomatoes this year.
“As of now, our vine-ripes are in the upper $30s and Romas are in the upper $20s,” continues Pedro. “Our grower partners do an amazing job providing us with the best quality Romas for our fall program, so we are keeping our customers stocked with sufficient supplies, some of the finest tomatoes available in North America.”
The company markets its tomatoes under the Arista label, which is entirely greenhouse, not shade house. And with many shoppers looking to make warming dishes to stave off the chilly weather, tomatoes make for great stews, bakes, and stove-top dishes to keep consumers coming back for more.
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